Submitted photo Pictured is the Hansvick garage and Jeep dealer in downtown Vesta, circa early 1950s.  

We have been learning about David Hansvick, who grew up in the small town of Vesta during the 1950s and ’60s. He described Vesta’s businesses during those years.

“Vesta had a lively downtown. We had three (automobile) garages. Main Street had two hardware stores; Marquardt’s Hardware, who also sold appliances, and Joe Engle Hardward. Joe Engle lived above his hardware store in a little attic area. You had at least three grocery stores: the grocery on the corner, Bessie McConnell’s grocery store, and Warlop’s had a meat locker. The downtown also had a leather works shop where he fixed leather shoes and had a printing shop. Dick and Gertie Benson, ran the (telephone office). I remember looking in there as a kid. She had a switchboard and sat there all day, connecting phones with people. The liquor store was on Main Street. Across from that was Mattson’s Garage and across from that was the bank and the Post Office in an old building. Then you had the Hansvick Garage, which was where they sold Jeeps at the time.”

Dave also identified Vesta’s hospitality establishments.

“You had a couple of cafes. You’d go in and everybody knew whose kid you were and all about you. You’d get your pop and leave your dime on the counter. A 3.2 bar was also a hangout. That one had the pinball games. Then you another 3.2 joint, Wieger’s. That was a bar and a café, too. Then there was Vernon Voss’ popcorn stand.”

Vesta had a couple other hangouts.

“Behind the Post Office was the popular, old, pool hall. You’d go there as a kid and watch them play pool or you could play if nobody else was playing. Then you had Louie Liske’s barber shop. That was a hangout, too. I remember sitting in there, waiting for my haircut, (Dave chuckled) and there’d be all these farmers or other people in there.”

Vesta hosted four churches.

“We had the Wisconsin Synod Lutheran Church, which was fairly big. My mom grew up in that church. We (attended) the Presbyterian Church, which was smaller, and we had a Catholic church. Then we had the Brethren meeting house, which was like a sect. They didn’t believe in TVs, radios, or newspapers. When they’d buy a car, you’d have to take the radio out before they could drive it home. One summer Dale and I (climbed) this utility shed and looked in their meeting house. They’d sit in a circle with microphones. It wasn’t really a church service.”

Dave began his education at Vesta’s public school.

“Vesta Elementary School was new when I started 2nd grade, which was kind of nice. I remember I was in this big, old, white building in 1st grade. So, they must have been building (the new school) when I started. We didn’t have kindergarten.”

He explained how the school classes were organized.

“There were three classrooms; 1st and 2nd; 3rd and 4th; and 5th and 6th. My teachers were Mrs. Sackel, Mrs. Kotval, and Mr. Meeker, who was also the principal. I remember staying after school a few times, writing on the chalkboard. If, you did something wrong in recess, you had to stay after.”

Vesta Elementary School had small classes.

“I had six in my class and three were cousins. Of us six students, Renee Sitzmann was always the smartest in our class. The class behind me had seven students and I think some of them were cousins. My Uncle Jeff was a janitor at the school. The county superintendent was Mr. Simpson. He visited once and a while. We had two bus routes from Vesta that would get the country kids. At least half the people in grade school came from farms.”

Dave described the layout of Vesta Elementary.

“You came in the front door to an open area and a long hallway [on the right] to the three classrooms and a music room at the end. On the (left) when you came in, there was a library, the office, and bathrooms with the sink in front. You’d continue down that hallway to the kitchen. When you came in the (front door), a set of double doors ahead led to the gymnasium. It also had a stage. They’d set up tables in the gym for lunch.”

Lunch time was organized by grade.

“We had meals prepared by the kitchen staff. 1st and 2nd would sit at their table and then 3rd and 4th and 5th and 6th. I think they had another table for people who brought their food. I think the Brethren (students) would eat there.”

Dave described where they spent recess at Vesta Elementary.

“I don’t remember what we did in the winter, but we always had recess. Behind the school building was the playground with swings, teeter-totters, and a jungle gym. Beyond that was the city ball diamond, a big area of grass.”

Dave’s 1st and 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Sackel, was his favorite teacher.

“I remember her being very nice. 3rd and 4th was Mrs. Kotval, who was in our church. So, my mom stayed pretty in tune with how everything was going there. I remember getting in trouble with her once in class. She was at our house later for some church get-together and I remember her (Dave chuckled) telling my mom, ‘I suppose David’s not going to speak to me tonight, is he?'”

The adjustment moving up to Dave’s 5th and 6th grade teacher was not difficult, but taking the bus to Redwood Falls the following year for junior high school was a major challenge.

©2026 William D. Palmer.